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By Tara Bellucci

BCAE Facebook page/cocktail photo by Justin Ide

Whether you're looking to save a little cash or explore a new passion, there is no shortage of DIY classes to choose from. That's definitely the case at New England's oldest adult education non-profit, the Boston Center for Adult Education. From sewing and floral arranging to canning and crafting, if there's something you are dying to DIY, you can get hands-on instruction at the BCAE.

"There's that sense of reward from making something with your own hands," says Brehon Garcia-Dale, the BCAE's Director of Education & head of the culinary program.

"It's also economy driven, and people are looking to invest in skills that will save them time & money, [even] looking to turn their passions & hobbies into a side business."

Nearly half of the BCAE's classes each session are hands-on, DIY-driven instruction, and that's what keeps people coming back for more. "Our consumer... is that DIYer who is looking to get her hands dirty. We have one class that teaches you how to make an urban kitchen garden. So you could go to Trader Joe's and buy a container of basil, or you could learn how to make a garden that you can keep on your countertop and never have to buy basil again," says Garcia-Dale.

Cooking, sewing, and floral arranging are the most popular, and running from $45 for a one-session floral class to the seven-session Sewing for Beginners at $300, there's a price and time commitment for everyone.